Ralph Lawson Interview: We have always had a music first policy

Ralph Lawson and his label 2020 Vision have been cornerstones of the electronic music universe for over twenty years. The imprint, home to the likes of Maya Jane Coles, Huxley, Paul Woolford, Stacey Pullen, Greg Wilson and many more over it's glittering tenure, has remained an honest and forward thinking juggernaut during that time, an approach mirrored by Lawson as a DJ.

With sets and productions that circumvent the full spectrum of what you can do with a four to the floor beat, Ralph also blazed a trail for live music with his 2020 Soundsystem group, as well as his renowned residency at the legendary Back to Basics in Leeds.

Their knack for throwing a party obviously rubbed off on Ralph and the label, as evidenced by the OFF Sonar fun depicted in the above video, and their staple showcases in the capital that take in both the day and night.

He stars in another of these on Sunday May 25th when 2020 head to Ican Studios in Hackney Wick, where he'll be playing two sets to augment each aspect alongside the likes of Wilson, Citizen, Psychemagik and The Reflex (check out the mix he delivered for us here).

We had a quick chat ahead of the event, Lawson letting slip on the DJ superstars he's turned music down from in the past, the secrets to his label's enduring success and the dream artist on 2020.

2020 Vision has clocked up twenty years, congratulations on such a monumental achievement. Where is the label going to head in the future?

Same way we have always headed into the future - best foot forward! We concentrate on finding the freshest new talent and putting out the best release possible for them.  

We like to work long term with artists - we bring a lot of experience to the table to share. I'd like to build a big label with the exciting new team we currently have plus add some more summer signings.  

Is it possible for you to pick out a handful of favourite releases form the catalogue, and if so what would they be?

It's kinda like asking which kid I like best so I try to avoid picking out personal favourites. But I can pick out ten 12" records that were our best selling or most influential...

Wulf n Bear 'Raptures of The Deep'

Deadbeats 'Deadbeats'

Soldiers of Twilight -'Believe'

Crazy P 'Never Gonna Reach Me' (Hot Toddy remix)

2020Soundsystem 'Sliding Away' (Johnny D remix)

Paul Woolford 'Erotic Discourse' (below)

The Youngsters 'Third Knife'

Motor City Drum Ensemble 'Lonely One'

Maya Jane Coles 'Little One'

Huxley 'Box Clever'

Also have their been any records over that period you've passed on and regretted?

My biggest and deepest regret is passing on a Trentemoller track very early on in his career. I already knew him from 'Le Champagne' and was super keen to have him on 2020 as an artist but we didn't like the track he sent us. We have always had a music first policy. If we are not feeling the track - it is not going out, whoever it is.  

It caused further issues in 2012 when we turned down remixes from Jamie Jones and Solomun. It's not that we think we are so great but we have always put the music itself first and the band didn't like the mixes. Many artists don't understand this way of doing things, sometimes I don't myself! And our accountant certainly doesn't. 

The label will be hosting a day and night party in London over the May Bank Holiday. Can you give us an insight into what the event will entail?

Yes sir, we are coming back to town. We have hosted a series of one off parties in London in warehouses, on rooftops, in film studios and even a disused train station!  

We specialise in day and night parties in unique places as we love the feel of a long party and how it changes as it becomes dark.  It reminds me of the kind of parties I love in Ibiza. This time we have found a cracking venue and have a superb line up.  

The imprint will always be inextricably linked to Basics. How important was that connection from the beginning, and looking on at another at that as an institution that lasted even longer, how has it remained for over 20 years?

2020Vision definitely received a lot of inspiration from Back to Basics, especially in the early years, but I think the link is only myself as I've been so heavily involved in both.  We have remained in the game because we love it, simple as that.  

On a personal note what are your summer plans in terms of festivals and Ibiza? We've noticed you'll be at Sonar again, but where else will you be playing?

Yes are closing Sonar Lab stage on June 14th. Hideout Festival on July 3rd, Channel Zoo Ibiza July 5th, Loveboxx July 18th, Farm Festival August 1st, Eastern Electrics August 2nd, Beacons Festival August 9/10th.

What upcoming personal production news can you let us in on?

I have started a new project called  Lost in Time.  It will be for my own productions only with co-writers such as Chez Damier, Tuccillo, Carl Finlow and guest vocalists such as Debukas and Sarah Story.  

Do you miss the involvement in a band from the 2020 soundsystem days, and would you ever foresee that being recreated ever with the other members or via a separate outfit?

I haven't been missing it so far. The guys are still good friends and who knows what may happen in the future. I do still have a real love of live performance though and we are thinking about doing Lost in Time live.  

And finally you've been given the ultimate budget for a 2020 Vision album, that can feature any five musicians dead or alive from the past. Who would you pick and what would the end product sound like?

I would give King Tubby free reign to dub out the 2020Vision catalogue.

Ralph plays the LWE presents 2020 Vision party on Sunday 25th May 2014. Can;t make this? Check his other gigs here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event